European Flight Academy selection

European Flight Academy selection: stages, tests and how to prepare

Pilot training at the European Flight Academy (EFA), the Lufthansa Group flight school, starts with a DLR certificate: you take the computer-based DLR test first and can apply only once you hold a certificate with the required rating. After your application, the Lufthansa Group assessment center tests your social skills, personality and psychomotor skills, and an aero-medical examination follows. Swiss citizens with a recent SPHAIR certificate can apply with it instead of DLR, for SWISS and Edelweiss only. The DLR test costs EUR 427 (EUR 327 with the autumn code for appointments up to 31 December 2026), and basic training costs EUR 130,000 in Germany or CHF 150,000 in Switzerland. All facts checked 25 October 2026.13521112

Programme Overview

The European Flight Academy is the Lufthansa Group’s flight school, offering ab initio pilot training without prior knowledge required.4

Locations

Training locations include Germany (Bremen) and Switzerland (Zurich), with practical phases in Goodyear, Arizona, USA.8

Licence Outcome

Upon passing all exams, you receive a 'frozen' ATPL (CPL(A)/IR) certified by EASA.8

Full Licence Requirement

To hold a full ATP license, you must accumulate 1,500 flying hours, with 500 in a two-person cockpit.8

DLR Test Locations

You can book the DLR test on site in Hamburg, Milan or Zurich; new appointments are published at the beginning of each month.3

DLR Cost

The DLR test costs EUR 427 when booked through the European Flight Academy webshop; with an autumn discount code it costs EUR 327 for DLR appointments up to 31 December 2026 (one code per person, appointments booked with the code cannot be rescheduled). You cover the cost yourself.3

DLR Validity

The DLR certificate is valid for a period of two years.2

Application Window

An application is possible no earlier than 12 months before your desired training start date.2

Selection Process Steps

The process involves the DLR certificate, an EFA application, and the Lufthansa Group assessment center.5

Assessment Center Content

The assessment center includes interviews, group exercises, and psychomotor skill tests conducted by psychologists.5

DLR retake

You can repeat the DLR examination; DLR recommends waiting 6 months before the retest, and a repetition is not noted on the certificate. If the first certificate is better than the repeated one, you decide which one to use.10

Training costs, Germany

Basic training costs for the ATPL in Germany total EUR 130,000, due in six rates of EUR 10,000, 10,000, 15,000, 35,000, 45,000 and 15,000 before the respective training steps. They include the practical phase in Phoenix, USA with housing, flights and transfer costs to Phoenix, uniforms and the Lufthansa Group assessment center; they do not include the DLR certificate, the Class 1 medical, US visa costs or an iPad.11

Training costs, Switzerland

Basic training costs for the ATPL in Switzerland total CHF 150,000, due in three rates of CHF 40,000, 50,000 and 60,000, with cantonal contributions already deducted.12

SPHAIR route (Swiss citizens)

Swiss citizens who completed the SPHAIR programme can apply with a SPHAIR certificate, not older than five years on the day of step 2 in the Lufthansa Group assessment, instead of the DLR certificate; without a DLR certificate, access is only to cockpit jobs at SWISS and Edelweiss. The SPHAIR certificate must contain a recommendation for the commercial pilot career.2

Take-off Promise

If you do not receive an employment offer for a cockpit job at a Lufthansa Group airline within 24 months after completing training, despite demonstrable active applications, you are reimbursed 50% of the training costs.7

Selection retake

If you do not receive a positive recommendation after the Lufthansa Group assessment, that selection step counts as failed and the selection process can be repeated after 24 months.2

Time to allow

EFA asks you to allow at least six months for the selection process, from your application through all completed steps, before a possible class start.9

About European Flight Academy

European Flight Academy is a pilot training academy from Germany. European Flight Academy is part of Lufthansa.

What it offers: European Flight Academy pilot training. The programme lists Lufthansa Aviation Training as its partner. The careers portal for pilots is linked in the profile on this page. The selection is described stage by stage on this page.

Train at European Flight Academy

2 flight schools have a published link with this airline. Each entry says what the link is and who states it.

Lufthansa Aviation TrainingGrenchen, SwitzerlandAirline's own academyNamed by the airline and the school
Lufthansa Aviation TrainingLaage, GermanyAirline's own academyNamed by the airline and the school

Airline links show where a school has a published tie with the airline. Each airline runs its own selection.

What does European Flight Academy ask of pilots?

DLR Certificate Requirement

You must successfully obtain the DLR test certificate before submitting your application to EFA.1

Minimum Age

You must be at least 17 years old at the start of the training.2

Nationality Requirements (Germany)

For training in Germany, you need EU, Swiss, or EFTA member state citizenship.2

Nationality Requirements (Switzerland)

For training in Switzerland, you need Swiss, EU, or EFTA citizenship and an unrestricted passport.2

English Language Requirement

Fluent English is required; if your DLR rating is C or D, you must provide a B2 level language certificate.2

German Language Requirement (Switzerland)

Student pilots in Switzerland require knowledge of German in addition to English.2

Education Requirement

You need a general entrance qualification for higher education, such as a Matura or Abitur.2

Foreign Qualifications

Applicants with foreign school-leaving qualifications must provide the certificate and its translation into English or German.2

Work Experience

No work experience is required to apply for the programme.2

Medical Fitness

A normal level of fitness is required, verified by an aero-medical fitness examination.2

Height Requirement (Germany)

EFA does not prescribe a specific height for Germany; fitness is determined by medical examination.2

Height Requirement (Switzerland)

For training in Switzerland, the height requirement is between 160 cm and 198 cm.6

Criminal Record (Germany)

In Germany, you may not have more than three points in the Register of Driver Fitness, none due to drugs or alcohol.2

Criminal Record (Switzerland)

For training in Switzerland, no entry in the Register of Previous Criminal Convictions may exist.2

Military Service (Switzerland)

Applicants liable for compulsory military service in Switzerland must complete basic service or civilian service before starting.6

Previous licences

The training is not modular, so previous flying experience is not recognised; you may apply with licences up to PPL (LAPL, LAPL (H), PPL (A), PPL (H)) or without experience, but with a CPL EFA cannot offer you training.2

Interview and group exercise

In the second selection step your ability to work in a team in dynamic situations, your behaviour in group and individual situations, your psychomotor abilities and your career motivation are put to the test. EFA also values achievement motivation and career motivation, and solid knowledge of the fundamentals of mathematics and physics. Build one or two real examples for each of those qualities, from school, work, sport or volunteering, and practise telling them aloud in under two minutes. For group exercises, practise listening, building on other people’s ideas and keeping the task on time. If you are interested in a SWISS or Edelweiss training loan agreement, you are also asked about your airline-specific motivation during the assessment center in Zurich, so prepare a specific answer on why you want to fly for that airline.526

What you can practise here

Book your DLR appointment first, because new dates are published at the beginning of each month and the certificate is valid for two years; it has to be valid on the day of your Lufthansa Group assessment. Use the DLR preparation software from your confirmation email in the weeks before the test, and keep up regular short sessions on maths, English, multitasking and hand-eye co-ordination. Once you hold the certificate, apply with your complete documents and use the waiting time to prepare your examples for the assessment center. EFA asks you to allow at least six months for the whole selection process. The practice plan for this selection includes Ball on the plate, Fast multitasking, Visual memory, Rotating figures, Arithmetic: mixed problems, Stroop test, Interview preparation, Group exercise practice and Hand-eye-foot coordination. A Pass unlocks the practice modes in that plan and runs for a week, a month, three months or a year, with no subscription and no automatic renewal.

Questions candidates ask

What is the cost of the DLR test? The DLR test costs EUR 427 when booked through the EFA webshop. With the autumn discount code it costs EUR 327 for DLR appointments up to 31 December 2026; the date of the appointment counts, not the booking date. You cover the cost yourself, as EFA treats it as an investment in your future. How long is the DLR certificate valid? The DLR certificate is valid for a period of two years. It must remain valid on the day of your Lufthansa Group assessment. What are the minimum age and education requirements? You must be at least 17 years old at the start of the training. Educationally, you need a general entrance qualification for higher education or equivalent leaving certificate. Foreign school-leaving qualifications require translation into English or German. Do I need specific language skills? Fluent English is a prerequisite, verified by a B grade or higher on the DLR certificate. If rated lower, you must submit a B2 level language certificate such as IELTS or TOEFL. For training in Switzerland, knowledge of German in addition to English is required. Is there a minimum height requirement? For training in Germany, the European Flight Academy does not prescribe any height. Physical fitness is determined by a physician during the aero-medical fitness examination. In Switzerland, a height range of 160 cm to 198 cm applies. What happens after passing the assessment center? After successfully completing the second selection step, you undergo an aero-medical fitness examination. This includes a drug screening to determine suitability for the class 1 medical certificate. Once cleared, you receive admission to the flight school. How much time should I allow for the selection process? You should allow at least six months for the entire selection process starting from your application. This timeframe includes all completed steps up to a possible class start. Are previous flying hours recognized? Previous experience is not recognized because the training is not modular. You may apply with licenses up to PPL (LAPL, LAPL (H), PPL (A), PPL (H)). What is the 'Take-off Promise'? If you do not receive a cockpit job offer from a Lufthansa Group airline within 24 months after training, despite active applications, you are reimbursed 50% of training costs. This reimbursement depends on demonstrable efforts to find employment. Further details are available on their specific subpage. Can I retake the DLR test? Yes, you can repeat the DLR examination; DLR recommends waiting 6 months before the retest, and a repetition is not noted on the certificate. If the first certificate is better than the repeated one, which one you use is your decision.32659710

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